Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-12-30
MADAME HATHERTON.
Il -. - ,rEnwn-

esmber. two bright and pretty girls
we're walking briskly over the frozen
ground in the outskirts Of a country
village. their steps keeping time. and
the pit-pat Of their walking boots max
ing pleasant music to it. They had
walked for some distance in silence,
but presently the taller of the two, q
dark handsome girl somewhat naughty
IA her look and carriage, said to her
companion; "If it were not that I en-
Joy the walk, Ruth, I would protest
against it. Here We are a mile away
from the village aud you won't tell me
Why you 60 praneing of on a visit to
thus old lady-Madam Hatherton is it
you call her?-Or what claim she has
upon your time and attention.
Why, Laura, dear, she has the claim
Of age and loneliness. Surely that is
enough. If there we're nothing else.
-Oh, You sly pussl You must have
your little mystery, with your nothing
mora Now do tell me what is the
nothing-or something-more."
We'll, viii; but I'm afraid you'll
laugh at me. That's why haven't told
you before. do hate to be laughed at"
Ruth Marvin added, with ludicrious
earnestness.
Miss Fullerton suppressed a dispo-
sition to indulge in the unweleome
sound, and slipping Ruth's hand be-
cath her arm, held it there, while she
Ia soberly: "Why, bless the dear
child : so does everybody hate to be
laughed at 1t makes me Just furious.
So bring forth your confidence; Il
pledge myself; not to smile even. no
not if it be a tale of that wonderful
second-sight you som times possess
Indeed, it is something like it.
Laura5 but ever since old Madam
hathsrton came here, and ever since Il
arst laid eyes on her. have felt a sort
q call to protect her; and ever since
4 first entered her dwelling something
seems to say TO me every time I cross
the threshold: "A dark tragedy hovers
over tlns house, which you may avert
& you heed the warning
Miss Fullerton gave a little shudder,
haif real, half make-believe. well. " |
she said, al declare you have made my
hipqd Fun cold; aud how far are we now
nom this abode OF mystery?"
There It is that little low house. " |
Sis pointed as she spoke TO a small. |
square, low. house 1t was stone, only
one-story in height. and dark and |
Heather-bsaten with the storms Of many /
winters.
Good graciousi Does she live there
$50 far away from other houses? ?" |
-, 4 Laura Fullerton.
"Yes. qais~ A .'5. ana you VIII be
snfprisoi to see - 20" PFettily appointed
~ borsa & ssas. She attends to
everything herself for nl2'hlng viii IN
duce her to keep a EsEvanL or even
chore-woman.
"What a queer old woman!"
aQueer; that's Just what she IS
everybody calls her queer, and some
people used to say worse, till they got
accustomed TO her ways"
By this time the girls reached the
houle. aud Ruth, after giving a loud
rap on the door, lifted the latch and in
vitsd her friend to enter. Miss. Fuller
ton did so. Perhaps she is not at
home, Ruth, she said.
"Oh yes. she is: the house is always
locked up IN her absence. She'll be 4
here IN a moment, for she knows who
her visitor is, no one else ever comes"
Miss Fullerton, now becoming accus-
toned TO the semi-gloom Of the room,
hoticed that it was not only well but
richly furnished; q handsome carpet I
cover d the floor the furniture was OF
che Injurious description known as
Turkish, and covered with tapestry Of
zioh huaA A quaint. old-fashioned
aiano occupied the place Of honor in
che room; some pictures. which Miss !
Fullerton recognized as rare and Vatu- |
able. adorned the walls heavy damask |
curtains draped the windows, and we're
slightly drawn back with cords. Just
revealing the lace curtains that waved
.lola to the windows A quick, light
step vas now heard approaching the
door. and before Miss Fullerton could
express the surprise she felt, Madam
Eatherton entered and warmly vel
somed her guest, Ruth Marvin, who
Immediately presented her friend
Madam Hatherton's appearance was
- peculiar as her surroundings She
was small very spare in form. and
made to appear even smaller than she
really was by stoop in the shoulders.
- marked as to look almost like de-
ia9nity. Her slender hands, wen
zsaned and very pretty. flashed with
aud curious brilliant rings; in her
large diamonds shone like stars;
piercing eyes we're deep-set and
~ dark, cleaning from beneath
nroEs that we're heavily marked, but
quite white; her skin was shriyeled,
er lips chm, and her hair-so much
- 3 as was seen beneath a velvet head
s54ering that fitted close Ike a skull
et-Was white like her broWs; and
costume vAae Ehort marrow .skirtad,
nr-liaok velvet gown with antique
4e rlde1 shading the vrinkled throat
3 Hu.a although at-